GB2480266A - Toilet Cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning agent device located outside a toilet cistern making it clearly visible when it is exhausted and needs to be refilled. The device preferably allows a measured amount of cleaning agent to be added to the cistern 9 prior to the toilet being flushed. The device may operate automatically by being connected to the cistern supply line 7. Alternatively the device may be manually operated by pressing buttons (2, 6 figure 3) to release the cleaning agent into the cistern.

Description

Toilet Cleaning System 2)5ronJd This invention relates to a toilet cleaning system. All toilets need manual cleaning in order to keep them clean and germ free. Current cleaning products tend to fall into three categories.

a) Cleaning Agent DeDosited Ento The Cistern These products usually take the form of a tablet which dissolves at an irregular rate over a period of time releasing the cleaning agent into the water within the cistern.

When the toilet is flushed the cleaning solution travels from the cistern into the toilet howl, The rate that the tablet dissolves in the cistern is irregular depending on how long the tablet has been in the water in the cistern.

The drawback with this system is that the amount of cleaning agent released is irregular and is dependant on the time elapsed between the toilet being flushed, which can roult in virtually no cleaning agent being released into the toilet bowl at the time of flushing. In addition the consumer is often unaware when the tablet has lilty dissolved and so does not replace the cleaning agent.

Iinallv whenever a new tablet is deposited into the cistern, the cistern lid must be removed and then replaced increasing the risk of damage to the toilet itself.

b) Clip On Toilet Bowl This system requires the consumer to physically clip the cleaning agent onto the rim ot the toilet bowl. When the toilet is flushed the water running over the kaning attachment takes the cleaning agent into the toilet bowl. The drawback to this system is that th flushed water with the cleaning agent cleans only a small percentage of the toilet bowl and none of the cistern. When the clip on is empty it must be removed by hand and is often dirty and unpleasant to remove.

c) Manual Cleani With Bleach]pe Products The consumer will spray or pour a cleaning agent onto the interior of the toilet howl surface then using a cloth will wipe round the surface removing any heavy, dirty stains. This is usually followed by an application of bleach directly onto the sides of the toilet bowl. Most people find cleaning the toilet bowl in this manner unsavory and distasteful, although it is probably the most through and efficient method of the three.

We are convinced that consumers would welcome a method of cleaning their toilet that does not involve putting their hands Into the toilet bowl, or alternatively removing the cistern lid and risking damage to the toilet litment itselt To this end we believe that this invention will allow the consumer to have a cleaner toilet without the necessity of hands coming into contact with interior toIlet surfaces.

3) Statement Of Invention

To overcome these problems the present invention proposes to locate the cleaning agent outside the toilet Itself. There are three ways In which this can be achieved;-a) By connecting a measured amount of cleaning agent, which may be fragranced, to the mains water supply before it enters the cistern. Drawing I of 3 details this method.

b) By connecting the release of the cleaning agent, which may be fragranced, to the flushing of the toilet, whilst locating the cleaning agent outside the toilet, but connecting It Into the cistern via a pipe. DrawIng 2 of 3 details this method.

c) By manually pressing a button which releases a measured amount of cleaning agent, which may be fragranced, Into a reservoir, then pressing another button to releases the cleaning agent into the cistern via a pipe, from the reservoir. Drawing 3 of 3 details this method.

The main advantages of this system are as follows:-a) A measured amount of cleaning agent is deposited into the cistern, then eventually into the toilet bowl, every time the toilet is flushed.

b) A larger percentage of the surface area of both the cistern and lnterio; toilet bowl is cleaned at every flush.

c) With this system then is no necessity for hands to come into contact with the interior of the toilet bowl to facilitate cleaning.

d) Because the cleaning agent is located outside the tbilet it is visually apparent when the agent container requires changing.

S) In trod uction To awing An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accmnciying drawings: -a) Drawing I of$ In this drawing figure 1 shows the cleaning agent container, which may be free standing or attached to a firm surface e.g. a wail. 1'he container holds a liquid cleaning agent.

Figure 2 describes a pipe connecting the cleaning agent container to a measuring vessel.

Figure 3 shows a measuring vessel with an input pipe from the cleaning agent container. The measuring vessel operates by means of a float valve. When the reservoir is ernp1 liquid flows into the reservoir via the pipe from the cleaning agent container. When the desired volume is contained within the reservoir a Iloat mechanism shuts off the supply from the cleaning agent container.

Figure 4 describes the valve located within the measuring vessel.

Figure 5 describes an output pipe from the measuring vessel connecting to the mains water supply. Liquid is released from the measuring vessel when the toilet is flushed resulting i the cleaning agent being added to the mains water supply on roUte 10 the cistern.

Figure 6 describes a one way valve which ensures the cleaning agent can oniy travel in the direction of the cistern.

Figure 7 describes the mains water supply coming into the toilet.

Figure 8 describes t1e junction where the mains supply ot'water and the cleaning agent meet before being carried into the cistern.

Figure 9 describes the cistern where the mixed water and cleaning ageuLsointion are deposited, irior to flushing.

Figure 10 describes a pipe allowing the mixed water and cleaning agent solution to pass from the cistern to the toilet bowl Figure 11 describes the toilet bow) where the mixed water and cleaning agent solution are deposited after flushing the toilet.

b) Drawijg2 of 4 l this drawing figure describes the cleaning agent container, which may he free standing or attached to a firm surface e.g. a wall. The container holds a liquid cleaning agent.

l'igurc 2 describes a pipe connecting the cleaning agent container to the measuring essel.

Figure 3 describes a measuring vessel which is connected to the cistern. A float mechanism is connected from the measuring vessel to the cistern. When the toilet is flushed the water level in the cistern wilt reducc taling the float with It. This opens the valve allowing the cleaning agent to enter the measuring vessel. As the cistern re fills the float goes higher shutting off the input valve from the cleaning agent container and releasing the cleaning agent into the cistern via an output pipe from the measuring vessel to the cistern Figure 4 describes the valve located within the measuring vessel.

Figure 5 describes the pipe connecting the measuring vessel to the cistern.

Figure 6 describes the float mechanism which controls the release of cleaning agent into the cistern.

hgure 7 dcribes the cistern holding the mixed cleaning agent and water solution.

Figure 8 describes a pipe connecting the cistern to the toilet bowl.

Figure 9 describes the toilet bowl.

Drawing 3 of 4 lii this drawing figure. describes the cJeaning agent Contaiiler. which may he free standing or attached to a firm surface e.g. a wall. The container holds a liquid ieaning agent.

Figure 2 describes a button which when depressed releases the cleaning agent into a measuring vessel Figure 3 describes a connecting rod, which when the button on the cleaning agent container is depressed opens a valve in the measuring vessel.

Figure 4 describes the measuring vessel.

Figure 5 describes the measuring vessel valve located within the measuring vessel Figure 6 describes a button which when depressed releases a measured amount of cleaning agent from the measuring vessel into a connecting pipe.

Figure 7 describes the air supply which releases the valve within the measuring vessel when the button in Ilgure 6 is depressed.

Figure describes the pipe connecting the measuring vessel to the cistern.

Figure 9 desribes the cistern into which the measured volume of cleaning agent passes.

Figure 10 describes the connecting pipe which allows the mixing of cleaning agent and water pass from the cistern into the toilet bowl.

Figure LI describes the toilet bowl into which the mixture of cleaning agent and water passes.

Qawinit4 of 4 In order to facilitate the method of cleaning the toilet as described in poInt 3 Statement of invention and sub points b) and c) It would be necessary for the Stern lid to be raised to allow a pipe which would allow the cleaning agent to flow into the cistern and also the float mechanism to pass Into the cistern.

To allow the cistern lid to be raised structural supports would be clipped onto the cistern, at each of the four corners, which woald allow a flexible seal to be passed through them so that the lategrity of the cistern and its lid could be maintained.

Two holes would be either pre drilled or left for the consumer to drill. These boles would allow first a connecting pipe to run from the cleaning agent container to the measuring vessel located within the cistern. The second hole would allow thi float mechanism to be connected between the tinning agent container and the measuring vessel.

Figure 1 describes the holes allowing the connecting pipe and the float mechanism to connect the cleaning agent container with the measuring vessel.

FIgure 2 describes a recessed area within the structural support to allow a flexible seal to be passed through the structural support.

Figure 3 describes a recessed area on the structural support allowing the support to clip onto the cistern.

Figure 4 describes the flexible seal which passes through the structural support maintaining the cistern Integrity.

FIgure 5 details the structural support to be clipped onto the cistern which will support the cistern lid.

Figure 6 describes the flexible section of the structural support to allow It to be placed on the corners of the cistern. a

Claims (4)

1. Ckünis J) The ekaning agent is oated outside the cistern making it clearly visible when it is eihauste.d and a new full container required.
2. 2) Because the container is located outside the toilet a consumers hands do not come info contact with the toilet itself.
3. 3) A measured amount of cleaning agent is added to the toilet every time it is flushed.
4. 4) The area cleaned within the toilet is maximized.